Conservatory Floors: Concrete vs Suspended Timber?

[WeAreBongo]

Folks,

Having a conservatory built but not sure which option to go for.  The drop from internal floor level to ground level is less than 2ft - manufacturer has advised concrete slab with visqueen(sp?) membrane.  Interfering relative says "you don't want a concrete slab with a visqueen(sp?) membrane, you want a suspended floor, that's what you want".  My main concern is the coldness - being north facing.  Opinions?

[dmsjps]

Hi, if coldness is the only thing putting you off a solid floor, install some underfloor heating. Other than that, it's really what you fancy.

[zmudge]

A solid floor means importing a quantity of fill to make up the 2ft and then pouring a lot of wet concrete over it (visqueen is polythene sheet damp proof layer placed immediately under the concrete) and then screeding. Surely your relative is not recommending a timber ground floor !! It is usual today to create a suspended ground floor out of pre-cast concrete beams and blocks with a cement and sand screed on top to receive floor finishings, and if you are in a restricted space this is much the better way to go then carting around lots of fill and wet concrete. North facing does not create noticeable heat loss through the floor.

[sddsddean]

I'd go for concrete (in fact I have in my conservatory!). You only have to lay it once and there is effectively no maintenance. Put some nice quarry/ceramic tiles down and job's done! Mine is NE facing and at 7.05am this morning its 34C, so no problem with cold!! In the winter, we leave the dining room to conservatory doors open and we have a little convector heater in it, usually on the lowest setting, which keeps it quite comfortable.

[moomoojaj]

I agree with dmsjps. Install underfloor heating in a concrete slab. A conservatory is an expensive investment, so make it a comfortable environment all year round so that you can enjoy your extra space. Underfloor heating is the 'in' thing at the moment and is relatively cheap to install. I suggest you go for the 'wet' type and not electric as this is the more expensive option to run. DO IT RIGHT THE FIRST TIME SO THAT YOU WILL NOT REGRET IT IN THE FUTURE.

[WeAreBongo]

Thanks folks, can anyone recommend a reasonably priced underfloor heating system? Cheers...